Being short-sighted or long-sighted may not be ideal, but it's hardly the end of the world. Glasses have been helping people see clearly for centuries and having less than 20:20 vision doesn't lead to too many problems for people.

However, glasses do tend to get in the way sometimes, for example those who like to indulge in a game of football or rugby, wearing glasses perhaps isn't the wisest idea. Furthermore, many people prefer not to wear glasses from a vanity point of view, which can lead to headaches as the strain of focussing proves too much.

This is where contact lenses can come in useful. As far as unobtrusive, subtle visual aids go, contact lenses are fantastic, but they come with their own set of hassles, given that they must be taken out every night before bed and treated in a special solution. Plus, they can often fall out, especially when playing arduous sports.

This is why many more people are turning to the wonders of modern technology to regain their former vision. Laser eye treatment is becoming an increasingly popular means of treating a number of eye conditions, including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

LASIK, which stands for 'laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis', is usually performed by ophthalmologists and is normally the best alternative for those wishing to avoid wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. Opting for laser surgery can be daunting though, which is why the surgery will normally be preceded by an extensive consultation session.

Most laser eye consultations are free and take approximately two hours. The main aim of the session is to conclude whether the patient is in fact a suitable candidate for a laser vision correction procedure, and to explain how the procedure will work and to answer any questions. This way, an informed decision can be made before committing to have laser eye surgery.

During the consultation, there may be a number of tests carried out to determine the suitability of laser eye treatment. For starters, a focimetry is carried out to measure the patient's current prescription strength. Furthermore, a tonometry may be undertaken to measure eye pressure, a key step in the diagnosis of glaucoma.

Then there is refraction, pupillometry, pachymetry and a full retinal exam, to name but a few of the possible tests that the optometrist may perform. Ultimately, all these tests are designed to assess the current health of a person's eyes and determine whether laser surgery is a viable option.

It's imperative that only a professionally qualified, specialist refractive optometrist is consulted in the pre-operative period. Only they will have the necessary training behind them to give qualified judgements on the best course of action for the patient. Moreover, it may well be the first step towards enjoying 20:20 vision once more.